White Wedding for a Southern Belle

by Susan Carlisle

  “Women don’t come to my place.” He started the truck.

  Her heart flipped. She watched his profile as he backed out of the parking space. The man was starting to consume her life.

  * * *

  Kiefer twisted his coffee cup round and round on Ashley’s table as he waited, not entirely patiently, for her to finish getting ready to go to the block party. When they had arrived at her place she’d gone full throttle. She’d started making calls, writing a list and hunting out clothes to wear. He worried that she was overdoing things but nothing he said was going to make her slow down. Ashley was in the zone. The best he could do was be there when pain overtook her or she wore out. At least he’d had the forethought to pick up food for them to take so she wouldn’t be lifting pots and pans.

  When he’d slid into bed beside her during the night he’d questioned the wisdom of doing so. The moment she’d snuggled up against him, all warm and sweet smelling, there had been no doubt he’d made a mistake. One that he would remember forever for both good and bad reasons. It had taken him too long to fall back to sleep with his body so painfully aware of hers. But he hadn’t been able to act on that. She was hurt, needed comfort.

  He’d watched her slowly wake up and had savored the moment she’d realized she’d been cuddled against him. There had been an appalled expression on her face before her gaze had fixed on his chest. Women had admired him before but never had one looked like she’d wanted to eat him up. His damaged ego had received such a boost of adrenaline he’d had to work at not grabbing Ashley and pulling her to him. If he had, she probably would have slapped him. She was the type of woman who needed to be finessed, romanced, unlike what he’d done when they’d first met.

  When was the last time he’d romanced a woman? That had been his ex-wife and that hadn’t turned out well. Romance wasn’t what it was trumped up to be. Why did he feel compelled to do so now? Because of Ashley. For some reason she brought out the side of him he’d long ago squashed. He wanted to make her happy. Feel important.

  Still, the honeyed way Ashley had returned his morning kiss had told him all he needed to know. She wasn’t immune to his charms. She didn’t need his romancing. All she needed was to make time for herself and her needs while she was trying to change the world.

  A moan more of disgust than pain came from the direction of her room. He walked that way. “Is there a problem?”

  “Yeah.”

  Kiefer stopped at her bedroom door. Ashley wore a light blue flowing dress with small straps. The color contrasted beautifully with her dark eyes and skin. She almost took his breath away.

  “I hate this thing.” She struggled to get the sling into place over her shoulder.

  Grinning, he walked toward her. “Let me help.” She turned her back to him. For once she didn’t complain about his offer of assistance. He started untwisting the back strap, his fingers brushing her skin as he worked. Positioning the widest area of the strap over her shoulder, he stepped around her and adjusted it in the ring clasps. This time his fingers were too close to her tempting breasts. He’d lost his perspective as a physician and was thinking only as a man attracted to an alluring woman. Capturing Ashley’s gaze, he asked, “How does that feel?”

  She blinked at him a couple of times. Was he affecting her? Ashley was sure getting to him.

  Stepping back, she said, “We need to get going. Did you get the folding chairs?”

  “They’re in the back of the truck.”

  “Good. The potato salad?”

  How like her to deny what was happening between them. Keeping his face stoic, he answered, “I’ll get it now. Do not go outside until I’m with you.”

  “Kiefer—”

  “I mean it, Ashley.”

  “I won’t. I’ll wait for you.”

  Her ready agreement made him suspicious. She might not understand the danger, but he did. He hurried to get the potato salad from the refrigerator. Ashley stood by the front door. Together they exited, and all the while Kiefer kept scanning the area for anyone out of place.

  “Do you really think someone would come after me in the middle of the day?”

  “I don’t know but we’re not going to take any chances. It doesn’t hurt to be cautious.” He led the way down the stairs.

  “I’m sure I’ve not sounded like it but I am grateful for your help.”

  Kiefer glanced back, trying to gauge if she was being truthful. “Why the change of heart?”

  “No change of heart. I was just thinking I might have been a little hard on you the last couple of days.”

  He steadied her when she faltered on the last step. “After all, what’re friends for?”

  She considered him a friend. That was unexpected and nice. Ashley would be a loyal friend, of that he had no doubt. Something that had been missing in his marriage.

  CHAPTER SIX

  WHEN THEY ARRIVED at a park area near the river, Kiefer could tell it had been cleaned and groomed recently. Even the shrubbery had been trimmed. The large beach oaks surrounding the area provided shade from the already warm sun.

  A few men were busy setting up tables. As they finished, a couple of women came behind them, rolling out plastic tablecloths.

  Kiefer carried a large salad bowl. Ashley had requested he transfer the potato salad into one of hers. He placed it on a table already laden with food. He leaned the folding chairs he’d carried over his shoulder against a tree before he and Ashley joined some others.

  As they approached, a heavyset woman wearing a bright smile stopped what she was doing and hurried toward them. “Ashley, are you okay, dear?”

  “I’m fine. It’s really just a scratch. The doctors...” she glanced at him “...just want me to be careful for a little while.”

  “Honey, you need to be more careful not to fall.”

  Kiefer looked at Ashley, who gave him a pleading look before she said, “I will. Mrs. Nasboom, I’d like you to meet the new doctor at the clinic, Dr. Bradford.”

  Mrs. Nasboom smiled up at him. “Nice to meet you, young man. I’ve heard a number of good things about you.”

  He smiled down at Mrs. Nasboom. “That’s always good to hear.”

  “What do I need to do to help?” Ashley asked Mrs. Nasboom.

  “I think we just need to set up the drinks table. We decided to put it over there.” Mrs. Nasboom pointed toward a spot under one of the trees. There were already a couple of tables leaning against a large oak.

  “We’ll see to that,” Ashley said.

  When Mrs. Nasboom was out of earshot Kiefer looked Ashley straight in the eyes. “Fall?”

  “Hush,” she hissed, “or I’ll tell them you pushed me.” She walked away looking regal, like a queen.

  Ashley was something.

  As noon approached a crowd started gathering. Almost everyone made a point to come up and speak to Ashley. More than one had been a patient of his in the last few weeks. They often had something to say to him as well. Being an ER doctor, he rarely saw a patient twice. As the Southriver clinic doctor, he not only saw them more than once but had an opportunity to get to know something about his patients. He hadn’t realized how much he had missed that connection until now.

  Taking the clinic job had been his way of escaping. He’d needed to get away from Atlanta, from his past, and start over. The plan had turned out to have other benefits as well.

  By noon the park was crowded with people talking and laughing. The tables almost groaned from the weight on them. The block party was achieving what Ashley had hoped for, a community coming together.

  “Oh, honey, what happened to you?”

  Kiefer turned from a conversation he was having with one of the local business owners to see an older woman dressed in a simple shirt and slacks hugging Ashley. When she released her, Ki
efer could see Ashley favored her.

  “Hi, Mom.” Ashley looked at the balding man who reminded Kiefer of a banker standing behind her mother and said, “Hey, Dad. I’m glad you both could come.”

  “What’re you talking about? We wouldn’t have missed it,” Ashley’s mother said.

  Her father gave her a hug and kissed her on the cheek. “Hi, sweetheart. What happened to you?”

  Ashley seemed to hesitate. She didn’t want to lie to her parents.

  Kiefer walked over to them and said, “She took a tumble over the last step at her house. She’ll be right as rain soon.”

  Her father studied him.

  “I’m Kiefer Bradford, the clinic physician.” He offered his hand to her father and they shook.

  “You’re the one Ashley has told us so much about.” Ashley’s mother beamed at him as if she knew something he didn’t.

  His attention went to Ashley, who was blushing. It was nice to see her a little less in control. “I hope it was good.”

  Her mother looked from one to the other. “Very good. We’ve heard you’re a wonderful doctor, not only from Ashley but from others too.”

  “Thank you for the compliment. I try to be.”

  “We were long overdue for medical help around here,” Ashley’s father said gruffly.

  Kiefer met his look. “That’s what I understand.”

  “Jean, Robert,” someone called.

  “We’ll see you later, honey,” her mother said to Ashley.

  Mrs. Nasboom, still moving at the same speed as earlier, came up to them. “Ashley, we want you to say a few words before Pastor Marks says the blessing.”

  “Today isn’t about me.”

  “No, but this was your idea. You need to say something,” Mrs. Nasboom said as she turned to go.

  “Okay, I’ll be right there.” Ashley adjusted her dress around her.

  At least she hadn’t been planning to use the event as a political stepping-stone, like so many politicians would have.

  Ashley made her way through the crowd to a small group standing in front of them. Kiefer remained at the back. Ashley spoke to a man then turned to everyone and raised her hand. The crowd quieted. “Welcome, everyone. I’m so glad you came today.”

  Kiefer was impressed with the way she held the people spellbound. He’d always thought of himself as a people person but Ashley had real talent for commanding attention. She really was loved by the community. He could understand that. She was hard not to care about. But he wasn’t going there.

  “I hope this is the first of many community events that Southriver will host as we all work to make it a wonderful place to live. Before Pastor Marks blesses the food I’d like to introduce the new doctor at the clinic to anyone who hasn’t already met him. Dr. Kiefer Bradford, wave your hand.”

  Kiefer did so and the people turned toward him and clapped enthusiastically. The man he assumed was Pastor Marks stepped up next to Ashley and offered a prayer. After that everyone lined up on both sides of the table and started filling their plates. Ashley was at the front of the line and he at the back. He spoke to those around him as he waited for his turn. They seemed like nice, honest people who were proud of their neighborhood. With his food in hand, he looked for Ashley. Normally he was uncomfortably aware of where she was. Now he felt lost without her, something he couldn’t remember feeling with Brittney even after they were divorced.

  A group of girls in their twenties stopped him. Between giggles they explained they were friends of Raeshell’s, and he smiled at remembering his first patient’s mother. Kiefer asked their names, which they offered with large smiles. They then talked about Raeshell and Mikey for a minute before he excused himself to find a place to eat lunch.

  Seeing Ashley at one of the small picnic tables spaced around the area, he headed in her direction. He hadn’t gone far when his name was called. It was Mrs. McGuire.

  “Come join us, Doctor.” She indicated an empty chair beside her.

  Kiefer glanced at Ashley then walked over and joined the group sitting with Mrs. McGuire. Over the next hour or so he enjoyed hearing the stories of the group’s childhoods and how much the community had changed. They all admired Ashley and supported her because of who she was and her work in their neighborhood.

  He didn’t even have to get up to get dessert. A woman took his empty food plate and thrust a large plate of cherry cobbler into his hands.

  “Marsha Hardy makes the best cherry cobbler in Georgia. It isn’t to be missed,” Mrs. McGuire said.

  It smelled heavenly. Kiefer put a forkful of the warm red mixture into his mouth. “Mmm.”

  “I told you so.”

  Kiefer covertly glanced around for Ashley.

  “Looking for Ashley?” Mrs. McGuire was wearing a curious smile. “She’s a good girl but I sometimes worry that she’s too busy seeing about us and not herself. She needs a good man in her life. Children.” Mrs. McGuire gave him a pointed look.

  “We’re just good friends.” And they were, something he hadn’t had with his ex. Still, something in him nudged him to want more.

  The older woman harrumphed. “Yeah, I can tell that by the way you don’t let her out of your sight.”

  “I just don’t want her to get hurt again. She still has a sling on.”

  “You know, you’re really not a good liar,” Mrs. McGuire said flatly.

  Kiefer hadn’t felt this uncomfortable since he’d picked up the girl he’d asked to the prom. “I think I’ll go see if there’s any cobbler left.”

  Mrs. McGuire’s chuckles followed him across the park.

  Instead of returning to Mrs. McGuire, he walked toward Ashley, who was in a serious discussion with a group of men not far from the drinks table. As he approached she broke away and came toward him.

  “I can tell you’re starting to like it here, Dr. Bradford.” She looked pointedly at his plate piled high with cobbler.

  He grinned. “The ladies of Southriver can cook.”

  “Especially Ms. Hardy. I’ve not had a chance to have any.”

  “Too busy politicking.” Kiefer filled a fork and offered it to her. “It’s the best I’ve ever tasted.”

  Ashley leaned in and took the forkful. “It’s wonderful.”

  Kiefer watched the movement of her lips as they slid over the fork. Even that simple action made blood rush to his groin. Did she make that same sound when she made love? He desperately wanted to find out.

  “I’d like to show you something. Come this way.”

  He’d liked to show her a few things as well but they weren’t thinking about the same things. Still, he was stunned she’d asked. This wasn’t like her. “Sure.”

  He put his plate on a nearby table and they headed out of the park toward a block-long brick building across the road. At one time it had been a small factory. Now it was just a neglected structure fenced in, with grass growing around it. Beyond it was the Savannah River and the salt marshes.

  “This is the building I was talking about the other day.”

  “The one with the view?” Kiefer studied the structure.

  “Yep. I’ve never been inside but I’ve always thought it was a great old building. After seeing your place, I think it has promise. I’d love to have the entire top floor. Even have a roof garden.”

  “So why don’t you look into buying it?”

  “I can’t afford it. I would need an investor, and being on the city council, I can’t appear to have any conflicts of interest.”

  They continued walking along the fence.

  Kiefer looked out at the slow-moving river. “You’re right—it would have a great view.”

  “Families would even have a place for their kids to play across the street.” Ashley turned toward the park.

  Sudd
enly people were rushing out from under the trees away from the park.

  Ashley stopped one of them. “What’s going on?”

  “A couple of guys are threatening people.”

  * * *

  Ashley’s heart thumped in her chest. The day had been going so well. They didn’t need any trouble. Holding her arm, she hurried into the park. Kiefer followed. As they joined the people still there, she could see the drinks table had been turned over. Marko, along with two other members of his crew, was standing in front of everyone.

  A couple of other men she didn’t recognize stood to either side of the trio but were taking no aggressive action. They just watched carefully.

  Ashley slowed her pace and walked up to Marko. She felt Kiefer close behind. She put on a bright smile. “Hi, Marko. We’re so glad you could join us.”

  To his credit, the look on Marko’s face was almost comical. He obviously hadn’t anticipated that welcome.

  “Would you like a plate to go? I missed seeing your mother. I’m sorry to hear she has been sick.”

  “We’re not here for food,” Marko growled.

  “Then what’re you here for?” Kiefer and the others took a step closer. She waved them back.

  “We’re seeing what you’re doing.”

  “It’s a neighborhood party. Anyone is welcome. You’re part of the community, so you’re welcome as long as you behave yourself.” Ashley held her position.

  “No one tells me what to do.”

  “Whether or not you stay or go is your business, but you’re not going to destroy things like you did over there.” She pointed toward the drinks table.

  Marko stepped closer to her. Feet shifted around them.

  Marko jerked his chin at her injured arm and smirked. “That hurt?”

  “It did,” Ashley said.

  “If you don’t stop, you’ll get more than that,” he snarled.

  Kiefer stepped up beside her. Through clenched teeth he asked, “Are you saying you shot Ashley?”

  She put her hand on Kiefer’s arm. “Please don’t start anything here. Now.”